THURSDAY, 5.30PM
IN A move that has been taken as a sign that the dissolution of parliament and the announcement of elections is imminent, the Kenyan government on Wednesday suddenly introduced a reform Bill for debate in the legislature.
The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, tabled by attorney-general Amos Wako, allows the formation of a government of national unity or a coalition government if no party wins an absolute majority in elections expected before the end of the year. The Bill incorporates the minimum constitutional reform proposals agreed upon by a parliamentary group of ruling party and moderate opposition MPs that met after political violence, which has claimed more than 75 lives, erupted in July.
The parliamentary sessional committee, which sets the parliamentary agenda, has tentatively set October 30 as a possible date for the dissolution of parliament.
Kenya’s current constitution does not specify how soon elections must be held after parliament is dissolved, but traditionally the dissolution has been followed by a week of preparations by the electoral commission and three weeks of campaigning.
Hardline opposition leaders who support the National Convention Executive Council (NCEC) — a pro-reform lobby — dismissed the Bill as window-dressing, saying it leaves sweeping presidential powers intact. The NCEC on Wednesday urged the government to halt preparations for general elections and instead begin discussions on political change. The NCEC has called for the extension of parliament through a constitutional amendment to ensure that elections take place after “genuine” reforms are implemented.